Today would have been my Grandma Ruffings 96th birthday. We were blessed to have her for so many years. I would like to tell you a little about Her. My Grandma raised 10 children from the age of 44 alone. The Children were Mary Alice, Barb, Maureen, Paul, Jane and Joan(identical twins), Margaret, Bill, Helen, and an infant that died at 2 weeks Bobby. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. Speaking of grandchildren she had a boat load. There is, Deb, Renee, Mike, Cindy, Johnny, Bonnie, Patty, Rhonda, Kenny, Valerie, Cheryl, Eddie, Billy, Paul, Greg, Jill, Tom, Tracy, Jeff, Daniel, Amy, Mary, and Bobby, and Phil that passed away in infancy. She also has 36 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. I believe that when grandmas time came She was ready to be with the love of Her life once more. I miss my Grandma especially today, Her 96th birthday. I will always have my memories of Her, though. They are good memories, camping out in Her back yard with the whole family, Christmas, Easter, and other times. I just had to tell everyone about the wonderful woman that I called Grandma. In Memory Of Mary L. Ruffing.

Spring is in the air! I can't wait for it to be warm enough to go out and cook on the grill and to use my dutch oven. I want to make some baked stuffed apples,and a pineapple upside-down cake(recipe follows). The pineapple upsidedown cake is so moist that you think that it was made in your own oven.

Easy Pineapple Upside-down Cake

1/2 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 (20 oz.) can pineapple slices

Juice from pineapple slices plus enough water to make 1-1/4 cups

8 maraschino cherries

1 yellow cake mix

3 eggs

In a 12 inch dutch oven, melt butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Place slices over brown sugar. There should be room for 7-8 slices. Place a cherry in the center of each slice. In a medium bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, and reserved juice and water. Stir for 2 minutes. Spoon over pineapple slices. Place over 6 coals with 18 on lid. Cook at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. When done, place serving plate inverted over camp oven and carefully flip the camp oven. Remove oven and replace any pineapple that may have stuck. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Saving Energy While Cooking

This blog will help you save energy while cooking, whether you use electric or gas to cook on. I will try to save you time and money.

Do you like a home cooked meal? Do you like the taste of food cooked outdoors? If so I have a way to get both. It is also a great way to save electricity and gas. I love to cook this way, it not only saves energy, it also tastes great.

I am talking about using a Dutch Oven. You use one pan to create a wonderful meal. The best part of cooking this way is that you can create your main course and cook your dessert at the same time. It is also great fun; you can put it on and go and enjoy your family while your meal cooks.


I am going to add a couple of recipes for you to try. I will also tell you in a future blog what ovens you can purchase and where to get them.


I own a dutch oven and have a recipe for a Peach Cobbler that everyone in my family loves They have me make it every chance that they can. The recipe follows. It is the easiest to start out making in a dutch oven. I have also made pies, roast chicken and stuffing. They taste great and are simple and easy.


Now for the Peach Cobbler recipe.

Dutch Oven Cobbler

2 29-ounce cans sliced peaches with juice

(or 2 quarts of homemade sliced peaches)

1 package white or yellow cake mix

Ground cinnamon to taste

1/3 stick butter or margarine

Place dutch oven over 15 hot charcoal briquettes. Pour contents of peach cans into oven. Spread dry cake mix evenly over peaches. Sprinkle cinnamon over all to taste. Cut butter or margarine into equal slices and arrange on top. Put lid on top of the oven and place 10 hot charcoal briquettes in a checkerboard pattern on top. Bake for 45 minutes or until done. Spoon into bowls and add cream, ice cream or whipped cream, if desired. Serves 8.